Di Federal Capital Territory Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, don arrest one truck driver and two oda pipo over alleged criminal conspiracy and vandalism of Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, pipelines for Dafa village, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclose dis on Wednesday when e parade di suspects for NSCDC Kwali Divisional Office. E say di arrests follow intelligence-led operation wey di command carry out as part of intensified crackdown on economic sabotage, oil theft and pipeline vandalism for FCT.
Odumosu say credible intelligence on alleged vandalism along pipeline Right of Way, ROW, for di area make di command tactical team for Kwali do prolonged surveillance. Di surveillance lead to interception of three suspects wey dem allege say belong to organised criminal syndicate wey dey vandalise and try remove NNPC pipeline components around Dafa.
E say di operation come through intelligence gathering, community collaboration and work of NSCDC operatives. Members of one vigilance group wey dey collaborate with di command earlier monitor di suspects for site, but dem flee after dem sight security operatives, abandon sections of pipeline wey dem allegedly sever.
However, di monitoring pay off on 20th September 2026, when di suspects allegedly return to di area and try load di abandoned iron pipes into truck. NSCDC operatives, supported by members of di vigilance group, move in and arrest three suspects, while other alleged members of di group escape into surrounding bushes.
Di commandant identify di suspects as Maitama Inuwa, 30, of Rafin Dadi, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, wey allegedly drive di truck; Yahuza Danlami, 32, of Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, also for Lere, described as di truck motor boy; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, of Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State, identified as representative of di alleged buyers of di vandalised pipes.
Odumosu say preliminary investigation don identify four oda individuals allegedly connected to di activities, and dem still remain at large. He say investigation don expand to determine full extent of di alleged criminal operation.
Items recovered, according to him, include one commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger), loaded with allegedly vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes, and 17 pieces of vandalised pipes recovered at di scene.
Di commandant say di suspects allegedly operate mainly for remote and forested areas where pipelines pass through FCT, dey cut pipelines into smaller sections under cover of darkness for transportation. He warn say pipeline vandalism fit cause significant economic losses and create risks of explosions and environmental damage.
Odumosu also say di pipeline wey dem allegedly vandalise dey supply crude oil to Kaduna Refinery. He say di NNPC pipelines originally built to supply crude oil and other petroleum products to Kaduna Refinery and distribute same to NNPC depots across di country. E say di successful operation don disrupt major network responsible for sabotaging NNPC pipelines.
Odumosu say di arrested suspects don undergo preliminary investigation and profiling, and dem grant administrative bail after dem meet stipulated conditions. He add say di command Legal Unit go review di case file for appropriate legal action. He say dem go still charge dem for court to face full wrath of law.
He say efforts also dey underway to identify di alleged end-buyers and sponsors of di activities, promising say anyone wey participate or facilitate di alleged offences go face prosecution in accordance with law. He describe petroleum pipelines as vital national assets and urge traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and residents living along pipeline corridors for FCT to remain vigilant. He particularly urge residents to report suspicious digging activities and unusual movements of trucks for remote areas to NSCDC.
